Guys
ricardo.ch is a nice place. it's like ebay for swiss people (that's like the 20th time i mentioned that on these forums).
There's a guy from Solingen, Germany selling straight razors there for around 15-20 bucks(You can sell stuff on ricardo.ch from outside of Switzerland as well).
So, what's the catch? I mean, if he's selling blades, knives and stuff whilst being from Solingen, they must be good?
Check this link:
Rasiermesser mit Holzschalen und sehr schönem Schriftzug Neu bei ricardo.ch
The auction's title roughly translates as: "straight razor with wooden scales and beautiful writing".
He's selling that razor for 16 bucks. Swiss Franks are roughly equal to US dollars. Keep in mind that everything is twice as expensive in Switzerland than in any other industrialized nation, except for maybe Japan. (i.e. if your salary is below 3500 dollars a month after taxes you're considered poor). If you pay 80 dollars for a razor in the united states, expect to pay 150-160 in Switzerland.
Wooden Scales are nice, having a beautiful writing on the razor is cool too. But this razor must be crap, right?
There's an option on ricardo.ch that allows potential buyers to ask questions about the article-on-sale. Once answered, the question+answer go public. I asked the guy, in another auction, whether the razor was made in Germany from German steel -> he refused to answer.
Looks to me as if this guy is abusing the name of Solingen to pretend he'd be selling quality stuff (not that a town's name could be a protected trade mark or anything. he could just as well be from some other place.)
What do you think? Crap or awesome?